Mamata Banerjee Ends Sit-In Protest After Supreme Court Order Establishes Independent Tribunal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ended her sit-in for the fifth day against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. She welcomed the Supreme Court order directing the setting up of an independent appellate tribunal to hear appeals of those whose names have been deleted or are under consideration. The tribunal will be headed by a former high court judge. Mamata said the sit-in is being temporarily suspended and the Trinamool Congress will monitor the situation. Mamata Banerjee called it a victory for the people of Bengal, as a new ray of hope has now been kindled for names deleted on the grounds of logical inconsistency. Mamata cited two major reasons for starting the sit-in - first, removing names of voters arbitrarily and second - ensuring addition of names of genuine voters to the rolls. She clarified that the petition in the Supreme Court has been filed by her as an ordinary citizen, and not as the chief minister. CM Banerjee accused the BJP of influencing the Election Commission and said that the door was now closed, with the tribal commission and the Matuas demanding justice.